A gerontological nurse is assuming the role of an advocate. Which action would exemplify this role?

A. "Remember that in this day and age, many people can live far beyond 90 years of age."

- This response attempts to provide reassurance to the client by emphasizing the potential for longevity in modern times. However, it may not address the underlying concerns or emotions the client is experiencing related to thoughts of death. While the intention may be to offer hope and optimism, the client's repeated discussions about death suggest a need for further exploration of their feelings and concerns rather than dismissal or avoidance of the topic.

B. "I have noticed you have brought up the issue of dying a lot. Tell me more about how you feel."

- This response acknowledges the client's concerns and invites them to share their feelings in a supportive and nonjudgmental manner. By actively listening to the client and encouraging them to express their thoughts and emotions, the nurse creates an opportunity for therapeutic communication and exploration of the client's concerns about death. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the client's perspective and provides an opportunity for emotional support and validation.

C. "Try to focus more on the positive benefits of healing rather than what might happen."

- This response attempts to redirect the client's focus away from thoughts of death towards more positive aspects, such as healing and recovery. While positivity and encouragement can be beneficial, this response may inadvertently dismiss or invalidate the client's feelings and concerns about death. It does not address the underlying emotions driving the client's repeated discussions about death and may not effectively meet their emotional needs for support and understanding.

D. "You will find that aiming for health rather than thinking about death will have positive results."

- This response also attempts to redirect the client's focus away from thoughts of death towards more positive goals related to health and well-being. While promoting health is important, this response may not fully acknowledge or address the client's concerns about death. It may also overlook the emotional distress the client may be experiencing and the need for empathetic listening and support. Instead of dismissing the client's concerns, it is essential to validate their feelings and provide an opportunity for open and honest communication about their thoughts and fears regarding death.

A. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.

In healthcare settings, registered nurses are responsible for delegating tasks to unlicensed care providers within their scope of practice. If a registered nurse directs an unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside of their scope of practice, the nurse can be held liable for any resulting harm to the patient. It's essential for nurses to delegate tasks appropriately and ensure that unlicensed personnel are only assigned tasks that they are trained and authorized to perform.

B. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.

While unlicensed care providers must also adhere to their scope of practice, it is ultimately the responsibility of the registered nurse to ensure that tasks are delegated appropriately. If the registered nurse directs the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks beyond their scope, both parties may be held accountable, but the nurse has a higher level of responsibility due to their licensure and authority.

C. Liability rests with the company that owns the healthcare facility.

While the healthcare facility may have some level of responsibility for ensuring appropriate staffing and training, in this scenario, the immediate accountability lies with the registered nurse who directed the unlicensed care provider to perform tasks outside of their scope of practice.

D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.

Performing tasks outside of one's scope of practice is never legally permissible, regardless of whether harm occurs. Nurses and other healthcare providers must adhere to professional standards and regulations regarding delegation and scope of practice to ensure patient safety and quality care.